Svaha: the time between seeing lightning and hearing the thunder
I will be eternally grateful for your great gift of taking in to the fullest extent what it is that I have to offer, living it, and then reflecting it back in terms of the potential experience of others. You have given words to a process that defies words. And you’re constantly in a position to help me continue to hone that, deeper and deeper and more and more resonantly, who I am and what I offer, which is truly invaluable. — Jon Hansen, The Remembering Room, Richmond, Illinois
What you’ve sent me is so darn perfect it hurts! It’s a sheer pleasure to work with someone who writes as beautifully as you do — and in “my” voice. — Ariane Goodwin, Ed.D, smARTist® Telesummit, Millers Falls, Massachusetts
You have a real gift for words. You’re really, really good at it. — Sherry Essig, Priority Ventures Group, Raleigh, North Carolina
You’ve built such integrity of message in your company. I know that’s because it springs forth intrinsically, but you stay so focused at your core! I can’t think of a better way to phrase that laser-beam focus you have. It’s funny, because in someone else, laser-beam focus would be intense, but somehow you manage to make it much more kind and easy. — Jessica Albon, Thrive Your Tribe, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
I’ve never worked with anybody in the way that I’ve worked with you in terms of trusting in your abilities to the level that I have. — Catherine Hajnal PhD, Eight Branches Consulting, Vancouver, Canada ... facilitating and nurturing joyful living
You have an uncanny ability to see through what is being said and surface all the “unsaid” issues. Then you quickly give candid feedback and have a tremendous toolbox to help me move forward through your expert guidance of the right tool.
I have worked with many facilitators/coaches/counselors relating to work and personal situations. Your skills are exemplary and moved me faster than I ever expected. — Jennifer Baker, Fishers, Indiana
You bring both a spiritual perspective and some real-world hard-headedness. — Janet Bailey, Mindful Time Management, San Francisco, California
Brava! I wish I could draw a picture of me — you’d see me in a deep bow to you!
I read your newsletter as soon as it hits my in-box and you’re always right on with your advice. I had to let you know that this issue is particularly brilliant.
I will definitely keep this info — and your contact info — in a secure place.
Thanks so much for sharing your insight and wisdom. — Debbie Rodgers, CGA
I recently saw someone present an adamant argument that small business should never be personal.
This person was vehement about it. His view is that your business and your personal life must be kept separate if you want to be successful. Your business blog, Facebook, Twitter, other social media, and website should have nothing personal on it. Communication [...]
Posted: July 19th, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: 9
What problem do you solve for your clients?
Business and marketing coaches are forever harping on about knowing our customers. They prod and poke at us to do market research (which, if you’re like me, makes you want to hide under the bed). They take various approaches and use different methods, but it all comes down to [...]
Posted: July 8th, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: 2
A few weeks ago, I was talking with a friend about referrals.
A few weeks before that, I was talking with a different friend about referrals.
Both times, a knotty question came up.
What do you do when you like and recommend someone’s work, but there doesn’t seem to be reciprocation? All the referrals are flowing one way – [...]
Posted: June 29th, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: 2
There are many things that hold people back from feeling ready to put their business out there, market themselves, launch their website, follow up with clients.
You may think you don’t know enough about marketing. Or you might feel as if your website isn’t complete or perfect enough. You could be worried that prospective clients may [...]
Posted: June 4th, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: 2
This post is the second in a series following on my newsletter article “Don’t Just Do Something!” You may want to read that article first, and also the initial post in the series, ”Bright shiny things.” The links open in a new window, so you won’t lose your place here.
I have serious perpetual-student tendencies.
I love learning new [...]
Posted: May 27th, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: 2
There are some nasty, unethical, disgusting predators out there who prey on small business owners.
And this makes me really angry.
Several months ago, a friend of mine mentioned receiving a notice in the mail to renew his domain name purchase. He mildly said that it seemed a bit expensive, and wondered if I could recommend a different URL [...]
Posted: May 4th, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: none
Yes, the title to this post is my tagline.
I see over and over and over again how important clarity and focus are for small businesses, independent practitioners, and even corporate employees and jobseekers. And I see over and over again how having that clarity and focus inevitably creates inspired action and therefore real results - versus [...]
Posted: February 21st, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: none
TANSTAAFL – There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.
Robert Heinlein coined the acronym (though not the sentiment) 44 years ago in his book The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. And it’s still true.
When you’re just starting out in business, a lot of people tell you to give away your work. “For the experience,” they suggest, [...]
Posted: February 5th, 2010 under Small business.
Comments: none
Today my business was audited by the IRS.
Of course it was absolutely absurd for the IRS to spend money on auditing tiny little excruciatingly honest me.
And it was fascinating.
To start with, the IRS man, who, since I didn’t ask permission, I’ll just call by his first initial – “M” – was very nice. Not that [...]
Posted: December 7th, 2009 under Small business.
Comments: 6
Early this year, I wrote a post in response to a reader who had, in essence, questioned my authenticity. She’d said that I was asking people to show up, here on my blog and in my work with them as clients, and reveal their vulnerabilities and fears, yet she felt that I wasn’t doing the [...]
Posted: September 10th, 2009 under Small business.
Comments: 15
